What is an AOSE and why won the health department evaluate my lot?
Your local health department Environmental Health Specialists don’t just evaluate property for onsite sewage disposal systems. They also inspect the local restaurants, campgrounds, hotels, motels, respond to general environmental complaints, perform investigations into animal bites, conduct education and training seminars for the general public, and perform disease surveillance. Their staffing is limited, and their time is extremely valuable. With all of their duties and responsibilities, they sometimes can’t spend as much time on your property as they need to perform a complete evaluation. Also, their work is prioritized, with those job responsibilities having a high impact on the public health having a higher priority than finding an onsite sewage disposal system on a vacant lot. There is not a lot of public health issues at stake, on a property where no one is living yet. Also, your lot may require an “alternative” wastewater treatment system. The health department must remain impar
